Smoking-pipe reamer



June 23, 1959 cuc 2,891,559

SMOK ING-P IPE REAMER Filed April 16, 1958 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY A THONY UCHIARA BY United States Patent C SMOKING-PIPE REAMER Anthony Cuchiara, Schuylkill Haven, Pa.

Application April 16, 1958, Serial No. 728,862

3 Claims. (Cl. 131-246) This invention relates generally to smoking accessories, and is particularly concerned with a novel construction of reamer or scraper for the bowl of a smoking pipe.

While there have in the past been proposed a number of pipe scrapers or reamers of various constructions, these prior devices have not been entirely satisfactory for many reasons. In particular, previously proposed pipe reamer constructions have been relatively complex, resulting in relatively expensive devices incapable of withstanding the necessary hard usage incurred under even normal conditions. Further, prior pipe scrapers or reamers were incapable of equally satisfactory use with pipes of widely varying shapes and sizes.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a pipe reamer construction of the type described which overcomes the above mentioned difficulties, is rugged and durable even under abusive conditions of use, and which is adapted to automatically conformably engage in pipe bowls of widely varying sizes and shapes for effective scraping or reaming thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pipe reamer having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is extremely simple in construction, and which can be economically manufactured and assembled for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing a pipe reamer of the present invention in operative association with a pipe, the latter being partially in section for clarity of understanding;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the pipe reamer of the present invention, partly broken away to conserve drawing space;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the instant pipe cleaner, partly broken away to better illustrate the construction.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figure 1 thereof, a smoking pipe is there generally designated 10, which is conventional and includes a bowl 11 and stem 12. An incrustation of tobacco is designated 13, on the interior surface of the bowl 11. Received in the bowl 11 for scraping engagement with the interior thereof, or more specifically with the incrustation 13 on the interior of the bowl, is a pipe reamer or scraper of the present invention, generally designated 15.

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As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the pipe reamer includes an elongate tubular carrier or body 17 which is interiorly hollow, as at 18, being generally cylindrical both internally and externally. One end of the tubular body or carrier 17 is closed, as by an end wall 19, while the other carrier end 20 may be open. Adjacent to but spaced upward from the lower carrier end 20, there are formed in the carrier a pair of diametrically opposed through openings or slots 21 extending longitudinally of the carrier and longitudinally coextensive with each other. As the carrier wall, that is the wall of the tubular body 17, is of appreciable thickness, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, the slots 21, are defined within appreciably thick bounding edges. Stated otherwise, the bounding edges of the slots 21 are of appreciable thickness; and, as the longitudinally extending slots are arranged in substantial registry with each other, their bounding edges are in respective alignment.

The carrier slots or openings 21 are considerably spaced from the upper carrier end 19; and located between the upper carrier end and the slots is a cross piece or handle rod 24. The cross piece or rod 24 extends diametrically through and is fixedly secured in the carrier 17, projecting beyond opposite sides thereof, at a location adjacent to and spaced from the upper carrier end 19.

In the assembled relation of Figures 1-3, a pair of substantially identical, generally fiat plates or blades 26 extend through respective carrier slots 21, with the blades in substantially coplanar relation. The plates or blades 26 are of a thickness relative to the width of the slots 21 so as to be slidable in their respective slots and limited against movement out of their coplanar relation.

As best seen ing Figure 3, each of the plates or blades 26 includes a central portion 27 received in its respective slot 21 and having a length defined between upper and lower end edges 28 and 29, respectively, slightly less than the length of the receiving slot. It will be noted that the upper end edge 28 of the medial or central portion 27 and each plate 26 may extend generally normal or radial to the axis of carrier 17, while the lower end edge 29 is oblique to incline radially outward. In addition, each rigid plate or blade 26 includes an external portion 30 located outward of the medial portion 27 exteriorly of the carrier body 17, and an inner portion 31 located radially inward of the central plate portion and interiorly of the carrier body. The exterior portion 30 of each of the plates 26 extends in opposite directions longitudinally of the carrier body 17, as at 33 and 34, respectively extending beyond the upper and lower ends of the adjacent slot 21. Further, the longitudinal external extensions or fingers 33 and 34 are preferably of a downwardly tapering or convergent configuration, so that the external portion 38 of each plate or blade 26 is formed with a substantially straight longitudinal edge 35 extending generally inward and downward and having its upper and lower ends rounded as shown. The upper or distal end of the finger or upward external extension 33 terminates in spaced relation below the cross piece 24, while the lower or distal end of the depending finger or extension 34 terminates adjacent to and slaced slightly above the lower body end 20.

It may be seen in Figures 3 and 4 that the inner portion 31 of each plate 26 is provided on its inner end with an inwardly projecting enlargement or head 37 located entirely interiorly of the carrier body 18. In addition, each plate 26 includes an internal upward extension or finger 38, which projects beyond the plate edge 28 and the upper end of the adjacent slot 21 terminating short of the cross piece 24. Spaced beneath the enlarged internal head 37 of each plate 26 is an internal projection 39 which serves to continue the lower edge 29 radially inward and downward into the interior of the body 17.

It may now be appreciated that the plates or blades 26 are received in respective slots or openings 21 for limited movement toward and away from each other in substantially coplanar relation with each other. Further, the plates or blades 26 are tiltable or swingable about horizontal axes relative to each other. In assembly, each of the plates 26 has its inner upwardly extending finger 38 initially inserted into the respective slot 21 until its upwardly facing edge 23 engages with the upper end edge of the slot, and is then swung downward and inward to insert the plate portion 39 into the body 17 through the lower region of the respective slot. The plates 26 are, of course, removable by reversal of this procedure, but as this requires certain precise and deliberate movements of the plate, its accidental or inadvertent removal is eifectively prevented by engagement of the internal finger 38 and oblique edge surface 29 with the adjacent portions of the carrier body.

Suitable resilient means, such as a coil compression spring 40 is arranged interiorly of the hollow tubular body 17 having its opposite ends anchored to respective plates 26 and yieldably maintaining the latter in a posi tion of movement away from each other. More specifically, the opposite end convolutions of coil spring 40 are respectively snap engaged over the enlarged heads 37 of the internal plate portions 31, and thus snugly circumposed about the latter portions. The plates or blades 26 are thus anchored in the slots 21 of the carrier body 17, but may be detached from the latter by the exertion of sufficient force to snap the internal enlargements or heads 37 from their received condition in the convolutions of coil spring 40. Inadvertent removal or separation of the plates 26 from the carrier body 17 is thus further prevented, while the plates are mounted for resiliently yieldable movement independently radially inward or toward each other, and for limited, resiliently yieldable oscillatory movement about horizontal axes.

For purposes of terminology, each plate 26 may be viewed otherwise as formed with a notch or slot 42 extending downward from the upper edge, opening through opposite sides of the plate, between the inner and outer upper extensions or fingers 38 and 33, and terminating at the upwardly facing edge 28. The plates 26 may each also be considered as having a substantially straight, longitudinally extending edge 43 interiorly of the tubular body 17 and formed with a pair of vertically spaced keyhole slots or undercut notches 44 which combine to define therebetween the internal plate portion 31 and enlarged inwardly projecting head 37.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a pipe reamer which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use. Figure 1 it is seen that the plates or blades 26 are oscillated to have their lower end extensions 34 swung inward, to the extent required for conforming scraping en- For example, in

4 gagement of the outer plate edges 35 with the incrustation 13.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that ertain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is understood that the various components may be fabricated of any desired material, and by way of preference, without limiting intention, it is thought advantageous to form the carrier body 17 of plastic and the blades 26 of aluminum.

What is claimed is:

1. A pipe reamer comprising a cylindrical tube, said tube being formed with a pair of opposed longitudinally extending slots adjacent to and spaced from one tube end, a pair of generally flat plates each extending slidably through a respective slot interiorly and exteriorly of said tube and in substantially coplanar relation with each other for independent movement in said slots toward and away from each other in said substantially coplanar relation, said plates having substantially straight inner edges facing toward each other and each being formed with a pair of keyhole-shaped slots leading outward from its inner edges, and a coil spring interposed between said plates interiorly of said tube having its opposite ends respectively engaged in said pairs of keyhole-shaped slots, said spring normally maintaining said plates in an extreme position of movement away from each other and yieldably resisting movement of said plates toward each other.

2. A pipe reamer comprising a cylindrical tube, said tube being formed with a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinally extending slots adjacent to and spaced from one tube end, a pair of substantially identical generally flat plates each extending through a respective slot in substantially coplanar relation with each other and independently movable in said slots toward and away from each other in said substantially coplanar relation, each of said plates extending exteriorly of said tube and beyond opposite ends of the adjacent slot, said plates having their inner edges interiorly of said tube facing toward each other and having said facing edges each formed with a pair of undercut notches opening interiorly of said tube, and a coil spring interposed between said plates interiorly of said tube having its opposite ends respectively engaged in said pairs of undercut notches, said spring normally maintaining said plates in a position of movement away from each other and yieldably resisting movement of said plates relative to each other.

3. A pipe reamer according to claim 2, in combination with an internal extension on each of said plates projecting beyond one end of the adjacent slot to ef fectively prevent accidental removal of said plates from said slots and disengagement of said plates from said spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,872,198 Van Rixel Aug. 16, 1932 1,919,745 Raphael July 25, 1933 2,400,196 Grocoff May 14, 1946 

